The NRC's Role in DOE's EIS Development Process

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), as a commenting agency, has commented on the initial drafts, supplements, and final version of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) submitted for the proposed geologic repository for disposal of high-level waste (HLW) at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The following examples highlight the NRC’s involvement throughout DOE’s EIS development process:

In August 1999, DOE published its draft EIS, which evaluated the environmental impacts of constructing, operating, monitoring, and closing the proposed repository. The NRC staff provided its related comments in February 2000 (see NRC’s Comments on DOE’s August 1999 Draft EIS).
In May 2001, DOE issued a supplement to the draft EIS. The NRC staff provided its comments in June 2001 (see NRC’s Comments on DOE’s May 2001 Supplemental EIS).
In January 2002, the NRC received a request from DOE to review its Final EIS. The NRC staff provided comments in February 2002 (see NRC’s Comments on DOE’s January 2002 Final EIS).
In October 2007, DOE issued a supplement to the 2002 Final EIS. The NRC staff provided its related comments in December 2007 (see NRC’s Comments on DOE’s October 2007 Supplement to Final EIS).

For additional information, see How will NRC decide whether to adopt DOE's EIS.